RESISTANCE AND VULNERABILITY OF CRUSTACEANS TO CYTOLYTIC SEA-ANEMONE TOXINS

Crustaceans (Mithraculus, Neopetrolisthes, Periclimenes, Stenorhynchus sp.) living in association with sea anemones, shore crabs (Metopograp sus oceanicus) and brine shrimps (Artemia salina) were found to be res istent to the exposure of cytolytic sea anemone toxins (up to 100 mu g /ml) and to other membrane-active compounds such as gramicidin A and s aponin. The gill filaments of the crustaceans were not affected, indic ating that the chitin layer protects the epithelium from the action of the cytolytic toxins. However, crustaceans are highly susceptible to sea anemone toxins when injected parenterally. Copyright (C) 1996 Else vier Science Ltd